IPED unveils paintings to commemorate Women’s History Month
Honored by IPED, Guyanese artist and entrepreneur, Merlene Ellis.
Kaieteur News – In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Institute of Private Enterprise Development Ltd. (IPED) renowned Guyanese female artist and entrepreneur, Merlene Ellis. According to a media release on the initiative, IPED stated that it supports Women in Business.
“Ms. Ellis is a woman in the creative industry who has worked for 35 years in it. [She] three pieces were commissioned that reflect the work that IPED supports in the community to improve livelihoods by building sustainable micro and small businesses, ”IPED said in the statement.
The mini-unveiling ceremony featured IPED staff and Executive Management members including CEO Ramesh Persaud; Deputy CEO, Jagdesh Haripershad; Administration and Human Resources Manager, Ms Carlotta Boodie-Walcott; Regional Credit Manager, Dhanpall Birbal.
The paintings were unveiled by Finance Manager Tshanna Dainty and Chief Internal Auditor (s), Sheena Crandon. The paintings will hang in the Boardroom of the IPED head office in South Road, Bourda.
Ellis’s paintings are on display at the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House, Parliament Building, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, GBTI, IPED, Pegasus Hotel, Suriname Consulate and London, as well as the American Embassy of Guyana and abroad.
The artist has received several accolades in recognition of her works. These are: two US City Council Quoting and a Plaque Recognition for ‘Originality of Subjects’ in ART awarded by the Guyana Cultural Arts Association in New York and a Medal of Service by Ex president of Guyana, His Excellency David Granger. He also participated in exhibitions held at the Pegasus Guyana.
He explained, “The paintings were completed by applying acrylic on locally made crab-framed canvas covered with a 100 year life span with excellent care”.
IPED has a mandate to improve livelihoods by building sustainable micro and small businesses. In April, IPED will celebrate 35 years of supporting the growth and development of private enterprises by providing finance and advisory services to micro-entrepreneurs with over 38 percent of these businesses owned and managed by women.
“We are proud of our history and contribution to Guyana’s development through the continued support of entrepreneurs who have accessed more than 117,000 loans over the years. We have also undertaken further initiatives to support the Creative Industries by securing loans specifically for entrepreneurs in this area. This month we honor all of our female entrepreneurs and continue to assess the implications for women and men of our policies and programs, so that women and men benefit equally, and inequality does not be achieved, ”added IPED in its release.